Look I know this is an odd topic. Basically the wife wants to give cycle commuting a go. She would rather not have to stop and repair a puncture. I know it's possible that she could do it, but we'd rather avoid it at all costs. She has a nexus hub on the bike which adds complexity to the changing process for the rear, and at any rate in that schedule who has time for a flat? She could be trained to fix a flat, but it would be difficult and I'd be less popular.

She will be riding from home to the school, then to the kindy (towing a trailer), and then to the Brisbane CBD. It will be a mix of footpaths, back streets, and bike paths. Personally I haven't seen too much glass on the route but it only takes one numbnut. The tires are Kenda Kwick Trax 700x38c.

So, my question is, what would you do to minimise the chance of punctures? Do those sealant things meaningfully work? Are there more armoured tyres that would be better? If so I'm happy to replace them and I'll use them up on my bike.

That's a very fair comment. However the problem is that with logistics and all I may well be in town at work (and with limited ability to help) when she has the flat, or busy pedalling to pick up kids myself. 1800-maxi-taxi will definitely be in the phone though.

That's a very fair comment. However the problem is that with logistics and all I may well be in town at work (and with limited ability to help) when she has the flat, or busy pedalling to pick up kids myself. 1800-maxi-taxi will definitely be in the phone though.

Then she really needs to learn how to fix a flat, or at least change a tube.

That's a very fair comment. However the problem is that with logistics and all I may well be in town at work (and with limited ability to help) when she has the flat, or busy pedalling to pick up kids myself. 1800-maxi-taxi will definitely be in the phone though.

Then she really needs to learn how to fix a flat, or at least change a tube.

and keep a packet of baby wipes with her to clean her hands with.

So, if I were to fit the schwalbe's, would they be harder for her to replace the tube by the roadside if required?

Always carry a lock when commuting so that if you cannot be rescued you can lock the bike up and jump in a cab/on a bus and come back for it later - is she going to learn how to replace a spoke, true a wheel, replace cables on the roadside etc as well?

The marathon plus' will last for ages and will probably wear out before she gets a puncture. They may be slightly harder to change tube etc, but if she cannot do the lock thing.

simonn wrote:The marathon plus' will last for ages and will probably wear out before she gets a puncture. They may be slightly harder to change tube etc, but if she cannot do the lock thing.

Hi

Actually they can and do puncture and they can split as well. They are not bombproof, they may be good but they are not bombproof. I am aware of at least two people who have punctured/split their Schwalbe Marathon tyres in the past six months including one on a tour in the bush and no glass in sight. One should always be prepared for it happening.

I've used the sealant goo inside tubes and it really does work. Just find the site of the puncture, remove the object that caused the puncture in the first place, roll the wheel so that the hole is against the road, then give it a few minutes for the goo to fill the hole. Then inflate.

As others have said, ideally, your wife would learn how to replace a tube on the roadside. It's not that tough to do once you get the hang of it. I also recommend those glueless tube repair kits for fixing roadside punctures in the event that you run out of spare tubes.

Max

One of the best things about bicycle commuting is that it can mitigate the displeasure of having to go to work. - BikeSnobNYCCycling is sometimes like bobbing for apples in a bucket full of dicks. - SydGuy

Another vote for the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, my set has done over 12,000 km with zero punctures.

My wife also runs these & in 2 years has only had 1 puncture - it was a wood screw in the front tyre & it only resulted in a very slow leak. I just removed the screw (needed a screwdriver ) and patched the small hole in the tube - any other tyre & I would have been replacing both tyre & tube.

After reading all of this and talking to her about it she has agreed (reluctantly) to get a set of the Marathons (looks like I've got a set of Kendas to burn on my hybrid). She can help me fit the marathons so hopefully that will be her tyre tube replacing practice in one go. I'll have to leave the bucket cusswords outside and just go and use a few as I need them I guess.

However, using kevlar-belted tyres (such as Schwalbe Tyres) and a thorn-resistant inner tube that has the thicker rubber, will eliminate most of your problems. Broken glass and sharp stones will be repelled by this, but it is still a matter of luck when it comes to nails and wire.

simonn wrote:The marathon plus' will last for ages and will probably wear out before she gets a puncture. They may be slightly harder to change tube etc, but if she cannot do the lock thing.

Hi

Actually they can and do puncture and they can split as well. They are not bombproof, they may be good but they are not bombproof. I am aware of at least two people who have punctured/split their Schwalbe Marathon tyres in the past six months including one on a tour in the bush and no glass in sight. One should always be prepared for it happening.

Andrew

Andrew my puncture was on the Schwalbe Marathon Cross tyres, that is not the same as the Marathon Plus which are extremely puncture resistant. I have some very nice gouges in my Marathon Plus where glass has gotten in and been pushed out again.

+1 on the Schwalbe Marathon Plus - just make sure you buy the "Marathon Plus Smartguard" and not the standard "Marathon" because they are two different beasts.

I have now covered a combined 13,000km on these tyres without a single puncture (I started with 700x32s and did 6,000km on those, but changed to 700x28s when I got new wheels - the 32s are still on my original wheelset). I ride over all sorts of crap on the motorway and bike paths. My pump just sits there permanently attached to my bike waiting forlornly for the day that it might be used.If you keep your tyres inflated to the appropriate pressure then it would have to be a rare event to get a puncture. Yes, it is possible to get something through the sidewall, or a big nasty nail through the whole tyre, but you would have to be very very unlucky.

Well I ordered the two Marathon Plus plus a pump and a tube from Cell Bikes. I got home, tore the package open and had one leg out the door to the shed to fit them when I realised they only sent the pump, tube, but only one tyre. We paid for two, and there was two on the invoice but only one in the package??!!

Everybody makes mistakes. I guess we'll see what they are like to deal with tomorrow morning when I call em up. Fingers crossed.

From the one they sent I can see what all the fuss is about. It's a heavy tyre but judging by the thickness of the rubber it would take quite some puncturing.

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